Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Corporation of Public Broadcasting announced special funding for stations to cover the economic crisis.

Excellent, especially in a time where newspapers are crumbling and the money honeys' brains seem to shrink in proportion to their already anorexic dress sizes.

But I was reminded of how not to always believe what's written in front of me. Public radio in particular likes to emphasize the decentralized system - the affiliate system puts more boots on the ground, allowing Papa Bear NPR to distribute "real" voices. And they do.

However, my prediction is that most of the money will go to the Central Intelligence of public broadcasting: KQED, Minnesota Public Radio, PRX, and it doesn't reflect this in the statement issued by CPB, shows produced by Minneapolis based Public Radio International. Bruce Theriault is the senior VP for radio at CPB; his previous position was a senior executive at PRI.

I'm not saying they don't deserve them. These stations have the capital to match with CPB; they have proven track records. The powerhouses, like Minnesota Public Radio and KQED, are well ahead of NPR in developing new technology and interactive games.

But the stations most in touch with their communities - and very marginalized members of mainstream society, like migrant workers, refugees, union activists - will be pushed to the side. On one hand the normalization of public media is great: growth in audience, growth in financial support (for radio, not television), growth in creditability.

On the other hand the stations that have tried to remain as connected as possible by sustaining access, encouraging media engagement, and open doors to the public, are penalized for sticking to a mission that says even if you're in the minority, you still deserve a place on the airwaves. I wonder with public media nesting in the mainstream, where will that place be where the marginalized, the media disenfranchised, those of us left out of the Grand Narrative told by those who don't know us, and don't care. Who will support those stations who are too controversial for CPB to fund because rather than shrinking from the cacophony of voices, they revel in it?

A few thoughts on public broadcasting, news, and where journalism is going...not from the dinosaur perspective.

Ann in Ohio

Drinking at a Kiplinger Party

jobs v gates

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News Crushes

Raw news judgement isn't developed...it just is. KFAI's leader-facilitator-collaborator is Janis Lane-Ewart. As she has reminded me in the past, she is not a news person. Well, she might as well be. She displayed the right news instincts the night of the bridge fell down in Minneapolis, culling people resources, getting the feed from KSTP, and displaying her gentle fortitude in times of immense pressure. Janis is an example by doing, not saying. She done good.

Marisa Helms has quit Minnesota Public Radio. They did well to hire her: she was not only effective and accurate, she was ambitious in a profession that doesn't notice it very much unless you're covering a war zone. She decided she was mad as hell and wasn't going to take it any longer. And to that I say, good for her. I received 3 voicemail messages since she quit, all asking for references in support of applications for Marisa's job. I only hope they show as much courage as she has.

I'm reading Mary Mapes' account of her fall from grace at CBS news when the bloggers went to town on the documents she verified showing that Shrub had received preferential treatment in the Air National Guard to get out of serving in Vietnam. I don't agree with her on everything (like the press is the noble watchdog of democracy - there are too many corporate hack reporters and publications out there) but she showed a lot of courage under fire. She's also a babe, not that that matters so much, but I gotta say for someone with 25 years in broadcast news, Mary's well kempt. I hope I look that good when I'm her age.

Bill Moyers is still on my list. And the state of the union is still bleak, but Bill Moyers makes the future seem salvageable. Very sweet interview with Robert Bly...although I think people will die if Moyers goes off the air.

Ita Eyabong, one of the Kiplinger Fellows at Ohio State. He's drawing attention to the plight of African journalists in exile. We are so spoiled in the United States, and Ita reminds me every day (since his office is next to mine) that we can't waste air time and print space on Anna Nicole Smith. And he has a sexy mustache.

Elliot Jaspin, who just wrote Buried in the Bitter Waters. Check it out. This guy is suffering alienation in his own news bureau to shed light on yet another black eye on American history, racial cleansings. He also has an amazingly dry wit, which I find quite charming and cute. Smart and cute, who could ask for anything more?